Measles in Boston: Collision of Church and State, Science and Journalism

Please note our correction to this story in the “Update” section further down the page.
The biggest measles outbreak in two decades is underway in Boston, with at least 13 infections counted. Recently, a new wrinkle emerged, when a Christian Scientist was infected. He either works or has contact with someone at the Christian Science Monitor — a reputable news organization staffed largely by members of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
It’s not often that we quote Gawker.com, but they’ve got the story:

…a rare case of measles was found in the Back Bay area, and an employee of the Christian Science Church was found to be exposed or infected. The Boston Public Health Commission is now asking every member of the church for proof of immunization, but, you know, Christian Scientists don’t really “do” doctors or vaccines.
Over at the otherwise lovely Christian Science Monitor, the majority of the staff hasn’t been vaccinated – and if just one staffer becomes infected, the rest of the non-immunized staff would have to be quarantined. This has editors rather concerned, as a quarantine situation would leave the paper to be run by a small handful of non-Scientist staffers and interns.
In order to prevent a journalistic catastrophe, CSM staffers have very grudgingly started to get immunizations, even though they believe that the measles threat is “not true.” Nevertheless, the Public Health threat still stands, and if one staff member gets sick, the quarantine will go into effect.

Apparently, an ineffective vaccine given in the mid 60’s is the culprit. This strain is endemic to India, and the first patient recently traveled there.
We suspect it’s unprecedented that an organization could cease to function because the staff’s religious beliefs led to medical vulnerability. At least, in modern times — though perhaps telecommuting will save them. It’ll be interesting to see whether the famously tolerant Commonwealth makes certain allowances for this religion, and whether CSM members acquiesce for their paper or in spite of their beliefs.More from the BostonChannel.com and the Boston Globe (we’re still waiting on the report from the Christian Science Monitor…)
A fascinating look inside the Christian Science Church, from a 1995 Atlantic Monthly (subscription req’d)…Update: (6/20/06) Medgadget staff spoke with Norman Bleichman, a representative of the Church, to correct any mistakes made in our reporting, and to clarify what happened. Here are the details as we were told by the representative of the Church:

One member of the Church was diagnosed with measles. He immediately contacted the Church regarding his condition, and told them of who he recently had contact with at the Church. Based on this call, the Church contacted the Boston health department, received instructions for what to do, and took action to quarantine six individuals at their homes. Of those six, one was later diagnosed with measles, but had been under quarantine, and had no contact with other employees.

It is important to note that none of these seven individuals worked at the Christian Science Monitor, or had contact with its staff, which is housed in a different Church building from their offices.

The Church also provided information to its members about the situation, including how to get vaccinated. The Church neither encouraged or discouraged vaccinations, and has no policy against the procedure. Members of the church make their own decisions, and some chose to be vaccinated at their own will.

We appreciate the clarification. The Christian Science Church seems to be acting responsibly, in this instance, from a medical viewpoint. Perhaps it is a matter of regret that its members were not vaccinated earlier.

Nicholas Genes, MD, PhD, has been with Medgadget since almost the beginning. He's now Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai, where in addition to patient care and teaching responsibilities, he studies EHR usability and physician uses of social media. Dr. Genes serves on the editorial boards of Emergency Physicians Monthly and Emergency Medicine Practice. More about Nick: http://nickgenes.com

Event Details

ME Conferences is organizing "18th International Conference on Gastroenterology and Digestive Disorders" during September 16-17, 2019, Dubai, UAE. Conference highlights

more

Event Details

ME Conferences is organizing “18th International Conference on Gastroenterology and Digestive Disorders” during September 16-17, 2019, Dubai, UAE. Conference highlights the theme- Improving Access in Gastroenterology: From Past to Future.

Gastro Meet 2019 is a leading platform for a focused agenda of the current research in the field of gastroenterology which includes, guest lectures, keynotes, symposiums, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, and poster sessions. We invite Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, General Physicians, Microbiologists, Oncologists, Surgeons, Researchers, Students, and Business delegates to join us at Dubai in August 2018 for the 2-day power packed Gastroenterologists Meet.

Time

september 16 (Monday) - 17 (Tuesday)

Organizer

Event Details

Join thousands of passionate innovators at Europe's greatest festival of health tech innovation. The Global Innovation and New Technology Health Event showcases leading health tech from around the world and

Event Details

Join thousands of passionate innovators at Europe’s greatest festival of health tech innovation. The Global Innovation and New Technology Health Event showcases leading health tech from around the world and is accelerating innovation in an inspiring and creative environment. Super early bird half-price ticket sales begins on 7 May.

Time

Location

Event Details

LogiMed is the only European event designed for medical device supply chain directors and their teams. It is where Heads of Supply Chain and Logistics from the top pharma companies

more

Event Details

LogiMed is the only European event designed for medical device supply chain directors and their teams. It is where Heads of Supply Chain and Logistics from the top pharma companies in Europe gather to benchmark, interact, network and develop professionally.

Only at LogiMed will you have the chance to learn from and network with all the major medical device companies, key hospitals, and the most innovative industry suppliers. All openly sharing the do’s and don’ts to help you adapt to new regulations, redefine your supply chain strategy-covering planning, logistics and customer service to achieve greater end-to-end supply chain operations.

Download the agenda to find out exactly who is speaking, what the hottest topics are and how LogiMed can benefit you. LogiMed 2019 will bring together 250 Medical Device Supply Chain Professionals and 50 expert speakers over 2 value packed days.

Time

Location

Event Details

HLTH is the largest and most important conference for health innovation. It’s an unprecedented, large-scale forum for collaboration across senior

more

Event Details

HLTH is the largest and most important conference for health innovation. It’s an unprecedented, large-scale forum for collaboration across senior leaders from established payers, providers, employers, and pharma services, as well as from disruptive startups, prolific investors, representatives from government, academia, health associations, business groups, media, and industry analysts. The event is unique in creating a marketplace for the key stakeholders leading the dialogue and development of a new health ecosystem. HLTH’s mission is to be a catalyst to drive substantial reductions in health costs and dramatic increases in health quality. HLTH takes place on October 27-30, 2019 at the MGM Grand’s brand new conference facility.

Medgadget readers can receive $150 off a HLTH ticket with code medgadget150.

Time

october 27 (Sunday) - 30 (Wednesday)

Location

Event Details

Exponential Medicine is a unique and intensive four-day experience that gathers world-class faculty, innovators and organizations from across the biomedical and technology spectrum to explore and leverage the convergence of

more

Event Details

Exponential Medicine is a unique and intensive four-day experience that gathers world-class faculty, innovators and organizations from across the biomedical and technology spectrum to explore and leverage the convergence of fast moving technologies in the reinvention of health and medicine.

Our home in San Diego at the iconic Hotel del Coronado is the magic X-factor in building connections and catalyzing deeper-than-usual conversation among faculty and participants. We make full use of one of America’s most beautiful seaside resorts; its history beautifully complements the future-focus of Exponential Medicine.

From talks given in a custom-designed theater with multiple configurations for listening and idea generation, to our hands-on technology lab, beachside morning yoga, dinners, and bonfires—Exponential Medicine is a high energy, bold redesign of a medical conference.

Time

Event Details

The World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) is a unique global forum that brings together leaders of

more

Event Details

The World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) is a unique global forum that brings together leaders of national and international hospital and healthcare organizations to discuss key drivers of national and international policy, management, financial trends and solutions in healthcare management and service delivery. Through this forum multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, expertise and experiences are facilitated, together with dialogue on best practices in leadership in hospital and healthcare management and delivery of services. The IHF World Hospital Congress is a one-stop shop for the healthcare professional seeking the opportunity and environment in which to engage in a 360-degree learning and knowledge-sharing experience among peers.

The Ministry of Health of the Sultanate of Oman is proud to host the 43rd World Hospital Congress with the theme “People at the heart of health services in peace and crisis”. Together with the IHF, they invite all hospital and health service leaders from around the globe to join the event on 7-9 November 2019 in Muscat.

Medical technologies transform the world! Join us and see the progress in real time. At Medgadget, we report the latest technology news, interview leaders in the field, and file dispatches from medical events around the world since 2004.